Posted on 10/04/2006 8:14:33 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary-General, welcomed the release of Russian officers in Georgia and called on all sides to come together and engage constructively to address existing problems.
Meanwhile his latest report on the Caucasus country speaks of new tensions in the long-running dispute between Georgian authorities and Abkhaz separatists stemming from an operation by Georgian Special Forces, and he warns that only dialogue can resolve differences.
"The Secretary-General is pleased that Georgia and the Russian Federation have been able to resolve the issue of the recent arrest of Russian officers in Georgia in a peaceful and constructive manner," Spokesman of the United Nations Secretary-General, said in a statement widespread on October 03.
He appreciates the efforts undertaken by Karel de Gucht, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, to help bring about this result. The Secretary-General expresses the hope that all parties concerned will refrain from statements or actions that could affect stability in the region, and encourages them to engage constructively to address existing problems.
Annan also urges dialogue between Georgian authorities and Abkhazian separatists in his latest report on the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), which oversees relations between the two sides that fought each other 14 years ago. He highlights the increased tension in the region and recommends that UNOMIG?s mandate be extended for another six months beyond its current deadline of October 15.
"The presence of UNOMIG remains essential for maintaining stability in the zone of conflict. I therefore recommend an extension of the mandate of UNOMIG for a further period of six months, until 15 April 2007."
The conflict in Abkhazia, strategically located on the Black Sea, began with social unrest and attempts by the local authorities to separate from the Republic. It escalated into a series of armed confrontations in the summer of 1992. A ceasefire agreement was concluded later that year but never fully implemented and the fighting that followed forced nearly 300,000 refugees to flee their homes.
Kofi makes me sick. Can't wait until he's gone.
Whatever tension between Russia and Georgia needs to be nipped in the bud. US really shouldn't be pressing for states like Georgia and Ukraine to be in NATO. I really think our Russian policy has been quite assinine. A little piss poor country like Georgia doesn't need to have separatist movements like Abkhazia & S. Ossetia encourage. Even within those regions, the percentage of the folks who are ethnic Abkhazian or Ossetian are in the minority.
"called on all sides to come together and engage constructively to address existing problems."
Oh good. I guess that takes care of everything.
Kofi's telling Russia and Georgia what to do is like Marion Barry telling Putin and George Bush what to do. Laughable.
Wouldn't it be nice if both Russia and Georgia launched attacks on UNPersons around the world?
I'm sure Bolton would look the other way when Turtle bay got mortared.
;-)
A few days ago a person in my life behaved in a way which brought Kofi Annan to my mind.
For me, that's as low as it gets.
Wow! Kofi Annan has spoken? That ought to fix things.
(They better start buying body bags.)
Putin has been quite provacative on a number of issues. We need allies in that area.
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